But, says her longtime makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff, the two have one thing in common: A love of all things gorgeous. "Taraji loves makeup. She has every flat iron, every curling iron, every nail polish. If the entire glam squad was kidnapped by aliens, she'd get everyone ready for the red carpet," says Sheriff.

She gussied Henson up for the 47th NAACP Image Awards, held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Feb. 5. And Sheriff, who used all Dior on Henson, reveals their tight bond. Henson picked up an award for for outstanding actress in a drama series; "Straight Outta Compton" was named best motion picture (see our interview above).

"I've known her for 12 years. I knew Cookie from 'Smokin' Aces.' I met Taraji through Alicia Keys. I've been her makeup artist for over a decade. Taraji and I became fast friends. We hung out, we went to parties together, we had a great friendship. Around 2009 was the first I did her makeup for her," says Sheriff.

Their relationship way transcends business. "It's like doing the makeup of your sister. It's like a family thing. We travel together. Last night were here for the Super Bowl. We went to some parties," she says.

Just don't expect to see Cookie when you meet Henson.

"When Taraji goes out, we go for less makeup -- for sultry, sexy, less makeup. Very beautiful, soft and glowing. With Cookie, it's heavier, the color palette is blue eyeshadow with purple fuchsia lipstick. Taraji would never do that. She likes to be in gold and champagne and earth tones. She likes to keep her eyes clean. Cookie likes dramatic eye brows, dramatic lips, dramatic eyes," says Sheriff.

But Henson does have a few things in common with Cookie, sans the jail stint and the constant family infighting. "Taraji is very smart. We have good deep intellectual conversations but we can get on the dance floor and twerk. She's a fighter for causes. She speaks her mind and her truth. She'll get on Twitter and she'll protest," says Sheriff.

When the second half of season two of "Empire" returns in March, you'll see a slightly different side of Cookie. She's still fighting for her sons. And she still freaks if anyone messes with her family.

"But Cookie's style has evolved. In season one, she was fresh out of jail. She didn't know trends. She did animal print. It was designer animal print but she thought that meant classy. She's evolved her style. She's a multi millionaire now. Now she has a different aesthetic but it's still gaudy," says Sheriff.

Actress Taraji P. Henson poses with the award for Best Actress in a TV Series Drama for her role in Empire, in the press room at the 73nd annual Golden Globe Awards, January 10, 2016, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP / FREDERIC J BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

Actress Taraji P. Henson poses with the award for Best Actress in a TV Series Drama for her role in Empire, in the press room at the 73nd annual Golden Globe Awards, January 10, 2016, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP / FREDERIC J BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 10: Actress Taraji P. Henson, winner of the award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama for 'Empire,' poses in the press room during the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 10: Actress Taraji P. Henson, winner of the award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama for 'Empire,' poses in the press room during the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)